Achieving a Fulfilling Prayer Life

Over the last 8 months, 

We’ve had a lot of time to pray.

 A common concern among Christians is 

a feeling that their prayer life isn’t effective.

If you feel discouraged in this area, 

you’re not alone.

Today, we’re going to examine 

1) Luke 11

In this passage, Jesus focuses on

2) 

3 Aspects of Prayer

1. Content (vss. 2-4)

2. Persistence (vss. 5-10)

3. God’s Provision (vss. 11-13)

Lk 11 begins with Jesus praying

When he prayed, 

he always went to a private place.

3)

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

This disciple is echoing what 

many of us would have asked.

Here’s his response 

4)

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

We know this as

The Lord’s Prayer

This is AT LEAST the 2nd time Jesus taught it. (Mt 6)

Most observe this as a rote prayer.

They think that repeating these words will make God happy.

That’s not what he intended.

If you’re looking for content in prayer,

Look no further.

In it, there is a structure.

5)

1. Praise- “Hallowed (Holy) is your name”

2. Priority- “Your Kingdom Come” “Your Will Be Done"

3. Provision- "Give us each day our daily bread.”

4. Penance- “Forgive us, as we forgive others"

5. Protection- "And lead us not into temptation.’”

Sincerely praying that prayer (every morning) 

will change your prayer life.

Oftentimes,

The reason why we’re frustrated in prayer life,

We have no structure.

We come to God with our shopping list

& expect it to be honored.

That’s not how Jesus taught us to pray.

He wants us to start with PRAISE.

After praise, we tell Him that

His Kingdom & Will are most important.

THEN, we ask.

This is why Content is so important.

Next, Jesus talks about Persistence

He illustrates it with a parable.

6)

Lk 11:5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your boldness he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

Jesus compares our asking to:

Someone constantly knocking 

In this parable, what is it that 

gets homeowner out of bed?

BOLDNESS (vs. 8)

That’s how God wants us to ask.

He doesn’t want us to quit asking.

He wants us to drive Him crazy.

7)

Col 4:2   Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

In this election, we’ve seen people 

devoted to both candidates.

-volunteering

-making calls

-putting up signs

-taking people to vote

They’re devoted.

That’s how we are to be about prayer.

What is it that we’re asking God for?

-healing

-financial help

-forgiveness

8)

Col 4:2   Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

After you devote yourself to prayer,

God wants you to be watchful (expectant) & thankful.

Instead of being watchful, 

we become cynical.

Maybe God is taking a long-time.

Maybe God isn’t answering it as we hoped for.

We think God doesn’t care.

The 3rd aspect of Prayer

God’s Provision

9)

Lk 11:11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

We know what we want.

& get mad when we don’t get it.

We want that: 

-job

-relationship

-home loan

Just because we ask

Doesn’t mean we’ll get it.

REMEMBER the Lord’s Prayer?

“Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven”

Sometimes, we’re praying for a snake or a scorpion

& don’t even know it.

When God says, “No”,

It’s always for our own good.

Instead of getting mad, 

we need to praise.

10)

Lk 11:13   If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

God is nearer than you think.

He loves to hear you pray.

He wants your prayer life 

to be more 

-intimate 

-fufilling

By following Jesus’ teaching (Lk 11),

You’ll achieve this.

You’ll have greater understanding 

& satisfaction in how you pray.